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Paul Ryan

Congressman

By Scott WalkerThursday, Apr. 21, 2011

Marco Grob for TIME

Paul Ryan, 41, came of age down the road from me. Although we didn't know each other at the time, it's clear now that growing up in south-central Wisconsin during the Reagan years had a lasting impact on both our political philosophies. Like our 40th President, Paul has always stuck to his core beliefs: in limited, effective government; individual liberty; and making the hard decisions so our children will inherit a country at least as great as the one we did. Overnight, his economic plan has redefined the nation's conversation about public spending.

It has been said that there are two types of people in politics: those who want to be somebody great and those who want to do something great. Paul Ryan is the latter, and our country is better off because of that.